The Cat in the Hat Ride Inside

This one is easy to find. Just look for the huge signature red and white striped stovepipe hat that serves as the ride's entrance. You will board a six-passenger couch (two rows, each holding up to three riders) that will take you through 18 different scenes based on the Dr. Seuss classic. If you're not familiar with the storyline, The Cat in the Hat comes to visit a young boy and a young girl on a rainy day while their mother is away running errands. Disobeying the family goldfish they let the feline in and he proceeds to make a mess of the house.

Then again, you don't really need to know too much about the story -- or watch the Mike Meyers 2003 movie. The story gets told practically page by page. Oh, and hold on. Prepare to spin. While the audioanimatronic props -- around  you and at times even above you -- are amazing the real thrill here is how the vehicles will break into sharp spins as you ride. In other words, hold on to young children and the lapbar. The spins are synced perfectly to the action. Whether the goldfish is twisting as the toilet flushes or you are in a funnel cloud of flying clothing in a dark closet, this is no sleepy kiddie ride. The closet spins can get pretty wild sometimes actually.

And oh that pesky duo of Thing 1 and Thing 2! Thankfully The Cat knows how to clean up his act before mother arrives. The exit, leads to, of course, a gift shop. If you want to find ride-related merchandise -- from Cat in the Hat t-shirts to games to tables and chairs -- check out the Cat in the Hat online store.(No hand-held infants are allowed on the ride)

Baby Swap -- While you probably won't need to Baby Swap here unless you have a baby, are an expectant mother or have a child who doesn't enjoy the spinning car, Cat in the Hat has a roomy baby swap room. It is indoors and air-conditioned, wedged between the loading and unloading stations. Wood benches are there and a glassless wood-crossed window overlooks the unloading dock. You can get to the Baby Swap area by going through the regular line then heading to your immediate right once you get to the loading station OR you can bypass the line and get there through the adjacent gift shop. Just go to the back of the store where the ride unloads and turn left into the area.

Stay onsite at Portofino Bay Hotel

Stay onsite at Hard Rock Hotel

Stay onsite at Royal Pacific Resort

By booking your stay at one of the three onsite resorts you will not only be staying a short walk or complimentary boat ride from the park -- you will also receive the Universal Express benefit to avoid long lines and get on your favorite rides like this one quickly.

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